Images(2)

High chest of drawers

Date1770-1800

OriginAmerica, Connecticut, Southbury or Woodbury

MediumCherry, oak, tulip poplar, and white pine.

DimensionsOH: 90"; OW: 44"; OD: 22 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1972-413

DescriptionHigh chest of drawers. Upper case with a bonnet top broken-scroll pediment, three cone shaped, spiral carved finials on two plinths with carved rosettes and a central plinth with stylized carved volutes, one drawer shaped along the top to follow the curves of the broken scroll over a central shell carved drawer flanked by two drawers that continue the curve of the pediment on their top edges, over four graduated drawers, stop fluted pilasters surmounted by carved fans over carved rosettes. Lower case with two large drawers, fluted pilasters, shaped skirt, and four short cabriole legs with ball and claw feet. Original brasses.

Woods: Primary: Cherry. Secondary: Oak drawer sides, tulip poplar drawer bottoms, some backs, drawer runners, backboards, bottom of upper section, bonnet; some drawer backs white pine.
Label TextTechnically the same form as the more delicate typical New England high chest of drawers (1991-51), this Woodbury example features a much more massive base with two large drawers and short cabriole legs with ball-and-claw feet. The fluted pilasters framing the facade, the carved fan on the central drawer, and the uppermost shaped drawer link this chest to the Colchester-Norwich area of New London County in eastern Connecticut. The joiner who produced it may have trained in that area, bringing those details with him when he moved west to the growing town of Woodbury. This piece descended in the Stiles family of Southbury, Connecticut.
ProvenanceAccording to family tradition, chest was made by Elijah Booth (1745-1823) as a wedding present for his daughter. It descended in the Stiles family of Southbury until recent times.

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